Presentation
Robben Island Presentation
This piece is a narrated power point presentation of my experience at Robben Island in South Africa. Robben Island was primarily used as a prison since the Dutch landed in the Cape in the mid 1600s. It is notorious for holding political prisoners including Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) President Robert Sobukwe, former President of the Republic of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and current President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma. The piece offers narration to my study abroad experience in addition to commentary on the importance of the trip to Robben Island to understand the political and social contexts of the past, present and future of South Africa.
Supplementary
"Do No Harm: Questioning the Socratic Model"
This piece examines the Socratic model presented by Plato in his account of the trial and death of Socrates. The positions of Socrates in Apology and Crito seem to be contradictory. The difference between these positions contributes to Plato's understanding of political obligation. While members of society have the obligation to question the status quo and the authority of the state, they are also obligated to abide by the laws of the state. As a basis for contemporary citizenship this understanding of political obligation holds true to a certain extent. I argue that examples such as the civil rights movement in the United States and the struggle against apartheid in South Africa suggest there are instances when citizens have no choice but to operate outside of the "law" to achieve just ends.
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Suggestions for Further Reading
Jansen, Jonathan D. We Need to Talk. Northcliff, South Africa: Bookstorm, 2011. Print.
Joyce, Peter. The Making of a Nation: South Africa's Road to Freedom. Cape Town: Zebra Press, 2007. Print.
Mandela, Nelson. Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Boston: Little, Brown, 1994. Print.
Joyce, Peter. The Making of a Nation: South Africa's Road to Freedom. Cape Town: Zebra Press, 2007. Print.
Mandela, Nelson. Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Boston: Little, Brown, 1994. Print.